Structural block coating apparatus



Sept. 17, 1968 J. J. GALLOWAY STRUCTURAL BLOCK COATING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 5, 1966 John JGaHoway INVENTOR QmN @VN Sept. 17, 1968 J, GALLOWAY 3,401,669

STRUCTURAL BLOCK COATING APPARATUS Filed July 5, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 3; m John ELGOJJOWQ BY INVENTOR p 1963 J. J. GALLOWAY 3,401,669

STRUCTURAL BLOCK COATING APPARATUS Filed July 5, 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 John J. Gcj csa'ay' 3 INVENTOR United States Patent Filed July 5, 1966, Ser. No. 562,307 3 Claims. (Cl. 118-121) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A conveyor moves blocks successively past laterally spaced brushes which clean the blocks, then past laterally spaced coating rolls which apply excess liquid coating material to the cleaned block surfaces, then past laterally spaced and laterally movable squeegee blades which remove the excess coating material from the coated surfaces. Each squeegee blade is moved outward to inoperative position by engagement of each block with a finger connected through pivoted linkage to the blade, and the blade is moved inward to operative position upon disengagement of the finger from the trailing end of the block when the leading edge of the block intercepts the plane of the squeegee blades.

This invention relates to apparatus for coating concrcte and other structural blocks with Water-proofing agents, paints, or other liquid coating media.

When concrete blocks are used in the erection of buildings, it is usual to coat the surfaces of the blocks with a water proofing agent. Heretofore this largely has been done by hand, adding materially to the cost of the structure.

It is the general object of the present invention to provide apparatus for coating concrete and other structural blocks uniformly, efficiently, economically, and at a high production rate.

It is another object of the present invention to provide apparatus for coating concrete and other structural blocks which will accommodate blocks of non-uniform dimensions without the necessity of making special adjustment of the coating elements each time the block dimensions change.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide structural block coating apparatus which operates to apply a large volume of the coating material to the block surfaces, as required effectively to fill and seal the pores therein.

Still a further object of the present invention is the provision of apparatus for coating concrete and other structural blocks which apparatus is relatively simple and inexpensive in its construction, which is portable so that it may be transported easily between various construction sites, and which is essentially reliable in its operation, requiring a minimum of servicing and attention over long operation periods.

The manner in which the foregoing and other objects of this invention are accomplished will be apparent from the accompanying specification and claims considered together with the drawings, wherein:

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 are views in side elevation, plan and outfeed end elevation, respectively;

FIG. 4 is a detail view in elevation illustrating the drive for the unit and FIG. 5 is a detail transverse sectional view taken along line 55 of FIG. 3 and illustrating the manner of mounting means for stabilizing the blocks as they traverse the apparatus.

In its broad aspect, the structural block coating apparatus of my invention comprises conveyor means underlying the blocks for conveying them in sequence along a predetermined travel path. Coating material applicator means 3,401,669 Patented Sept. 17, 1968 are arranged at a first station along the travel path for applying coating material to the two opposite side faces of the blocks as they pass the first station.

Squeegee means are arranged at a second station downstream from the first station. The squeegee means are shiftable between an operative position of block engagement and an inoperative position removed from the block and its path of travel. Drive means are connected to the squeegee means for shifting it alternatively to its inoperative position at the time the blocks enter the second station, and to its operative position during the time interval during which the blocks are passing the second station. 1

Stabilizing means preferably bear against the upper surfaces of the blocks as they travel along the travel path, holding them securely for proper application of the coating material. Lateral guide means also may be provided for further guiding the blocks, as may be brush or other cleaning means for cleaning the surfaces of the blocks preliminary to the application of the coating.

Considering the foregoing in greater detail and with particular reference to the drawings:

To provide a unit which is readily portable from site to site, the block coating assembly of my invention is mounted on a trailer-type frame supported on a wheeled axle assembly 10. The axle assembly mounts leaf springs 12 which support a lower horizontal frame including spaced, parallel longitudinal members 14, 16 and spaced transverse frame members 18, 20, 22, 24. Arcuate pump support bars 26 are supported across transverse support members 20, 22. They double as shoes which protect the motor assembly when the unit is trailered from place to place. A trailer hitch 28 is attached cent-rally of transverse frame member 24.

The box shaped frame thus comprised supports forward and rearward vertical posts 30, 32 as well as forward and rearward angular brace members 34, 36.

The vertical members in turn support an intermediate horizontal frame including parallel spaced side pieces 38, 40 supported on spaced parallel, transverse angle irons 42, 44, 46. Longitudinally extending plates 50 are supported across transverse members 42, 44.

The intermediate horizontal frame in turn supports forward and rearward vertical posts 52, 54, the upper eX- tremities of which are tied together by longitudinal side pieces 56, 53. The latter, together with transverse angle irons 54, 56, constitute an upper horizontal frame.

The portable, trailer-type frame containing the framing elements indicated above mounts conveyor means for conveying concrete or other structural blocks 66 past a plurality of stations at which the various processing operations occur.

As the blocks pass through the apparatus, they are supported on a pair of centrally situated, parallel, spaced slides 70, supported on transverse framing members 42, 44, 46

The blocks are moved along the slides in sequence by an endless conveyor driven by a motor 72 supported on plate 73. The motor shaft is fitted with a sprocket which drives a chain 74. The latter in turn drives a sprocketfitted shaft 76 journaled in bearings 79- mounted on support posts 36. An endless chain 80 meshes with a drive sprocket 82, keyed centrally to shaft 76, and with an idler sprocket 34 keyed to a shaft 86 journaled in bearings 87 mounted on the undersides of slides 70 at the infeed end thereof.

Endless chain 80 is fitted with outwardly extending lugs 88 at intervals spaced appropriately for conveying blocks 66 individually in a timed sequence calculated to afford the opportunity of subjecting the blocks to the various necessary processing operations.

Guide means are positioned laterally of the blocks for guiding them on to the endless conveyor, as well as for insuring that they are not subjected to lateral displacement as they travel along the same.

The guide means employed for this purpose include a pair of inwardly tapering guide bars 90 which guide the blocks onto the conveyor. The guide bars are mounted on brackets 92 which, in turn, adjustably are supported on support plates by means of bolts 94 working in adjustment slots 96.

Guide bars are coupled through the agency of horizontally oriented connecting plates 93 with guide bar extensions 100. The latter are mounted on angled brackets 102 adjustably secured to support plates 5% by means of bolts 104 working in adjustment slots 106. Considerable latitude thus is afforded for the passage of blocks of varying size through the appartus or, in the alternative, processing all faces of rectangular blocks by passing them twice through the apparatus, once on end and once on their sides.

Further to guide the blocks through the apparatus and to stabilize them in their travel, there is provided a resilient stabilizing assembly indicated generally at 110. This assembly basically comprises an endless, resiliently mounted belt driven at a speed coordinated with the speed of endless conveyor chain 80.

The stabilizing assembly is supported from transverse upper framing members 60, 62 by fixing to each of the latter, centrally thereof, an apertured, hollow support block 112, FIG. 5. A bolt 114 is received in the aperture and extends laterally outwardly from both sides of the lock.

A pair of vertical support plates 116 having longitudinal guide slots 118 are mounted one on each side of the block with the laterally extending ends of bolt 114 received in the slots. An adjustable stop 11) is clamped in the slot to limit the travel of the assembly.

The upper ends of support plates 116 are interconnected by means of a cap piece 120. An eye bolt 122 is supported on the cap piece. One end of a coil spring 124 is connected to the eye bolt. The other end of the spring is attached to bolt 114 supported in fixed block 112.

The lower ends of vertical support plates 116 are welded or otherwise secured to a horizontal bar 130, the infeed end of which is provided with a pair of spaced, longitudinally adjustable plates 132 and the outfeed end of which is provided with a pair of similar, longitudinally adjustable plates 134. The shaft 135 of an idler pulley 136 is journaled between plates 132. The shaft 138 of a drive pulley 140 is journaled between plates 134. A heavy duty endless double belt 142 is reeved about pulleys 136, 140.

The opposite stretches of belt 142 are guided and spaced by elements shown particularly in FIG. 1.

Downwardly extending posts 144 are fixed to the underside of horizontal bar 130. In turn, they support a longitudinally extending, segmental guideway 146, the segments of which are interconnected by hinge 148. The guideway receives the lower stretch of belt 142 and maintains it in working contact with the upper faces of the structural blocks as they pass through the apparatus.

Rollers are fastened to the upper surface of bar 130 and extend upwardly therefrom. They receive and guide the upper stretch of belt 142.

As indicated above, belt 142 is driven at a speed substantially equal to the speed of drive chain 80 with which it cooperates in passing the blocks through the apparatus. The belt drive includes motor 72 which drives shaft 76 arranged transversely of the apparatus at its outfeed end. A pulley 152 is fixed to one end of'shaft 76. It mounts the lower end of a belt 154. The upper end of the belt is mounted on a direction-reversing pulley assembly shown in FIG. 4.

Shaft 138 mounts pivotally .a lever 156. It also mounts centrally a drive pulley 158. The ends of lever 156 mount respectively a first idler pulley 160 and a second idler pulley 162. A tensioning spring 164 interconnects the inner end of lever 156 to transverse frame member 62. Drive belt 154 thus is maintained under proper tension at all times. Its direction also is reversed so that stabilizing belt 142 cooperates with drive chain 80 in driving the structural blocks uniformly in properly spaced relation.

As the blocks progress through the apparatus they are subjected to a sequence of three processing operations. First, their opposite side faces are brushed to remove any foreign matter which may be present. Second, the brushed surfaces are roll coated with a surplus of the selected coating material. Third, the freshly coated surfaces are squeegeed to remove surplus coating material.

The block cleaning station is located at the infeed end of the apparatus, just downstream from guide members 90. It includes a pair of stiff, vertically arranged brushes 17 0 mounted on brackets 172 which ,adjustably are secured to horizontal frame plates 50. The position of the brushes is such that they scrub the opposite side faces of each block as it enters the apparatus. Since the bristles of the brushes are flexible, they automatically accommodate blocks of varying width although, where necessary, suit- .able gross adjustment may be made by adjustment of brackets 172 on which the brushes are mounted.

A primary feature of the invention is the provision of coating means which insures that the surfaces of the blocks are coated uniformly with the selected material. This is an objective difficult of accomplishment in view of the porous, uneven character of the block surfaces. In the presently described apparatus this problem is solved by flooding block surfaces with the coating material and then removing the surplus material.

The coating material is applied by means of two opposite roll coating assemblies indicated generally at 180.

Each roll coating assembly includes a semi-circular reservoir 182 adjustably mounted on a bracket 184, which attaches to a framing member 186. The reservoir is closed at its upper and lower ends and partly closed across its face, being provided with vertical edge surfaces 183 which act as doctor blades. The reservoir is supplied with coating liquid through a conduit 190.

A vertical roll applicator 192 is mounted also on bracket 184 and works in reservoir 182. The outer surface of the applicator projects outwardly beyond the plane of doctor blades 1% which control the amount of liquid carried on the outer surface of the roll.

Roll 192 is driven from drive shaft 138. As seen particularly in FIG. 2, a pair of drive pulleys 196 are keyed to the shaft. Each pulley drives a belt 198 which passes around an idler pulley 260, and a drive pulley 202 fixed to the roll.

Reservoir 182 is supplied with liquid coating material from an open topped sump 206. Motor 72 drives a chain 208 which drives a shaft 210 journaled in bearings mounted on structural members 26. One end of the shaft drives a crank or eccentric 212 which operates a diaphragm-type pump 214.

Pump 214 draws from sump 206 via conduit 216. It discharges to reservoir 182 via conduit 190. Surplus coating material gravitating downwardly from beneath the roll coating units is received in a funnel 220 which under lies both units and which directs the surplus material into sump 206. The surfaces of the blocks thus continuously are flooded with a large quantity of the coating material, insuring that a sufficient amount is present to coat the rough, uneven surfaces effectively.

Since a large excess of coating to the blocks in coating units 180, means are provided for wiping the coated surfaces to remove the surplus and thus provide a uniform coating. This function is accomplished at a station including squeegee units indicated generally at 230.

A particular problem is presented in the application of Such units since on the one hand, to secure a uniform coating, a delicate adjustment of the squeegee blades is required, while on the other hand the blocks passing material is applied through the apparatus are of non-uniform dimensions, making such an adjustment difiicult. Furthermore, if the blades are set to accommodate a small block, they may project a sufiicient distance into the path of travel of a next succeeding larger block to cause damage to the blades or their mounting elements.

Accordingly, by the present invention there is provided automatic means for holding the blades removed from the path of travel of each block when the block enters the squeegee station and then immediately applying the blades to the block as soon as it has passed the critical point of possible impact. The mechanism for accomplishing this function is shown particularly in FIG. 2.

As seen in that figure, there are two squeegee units positioned one on each of the opposite sides of the block. Each squeegee unit includes a vertically arranged flexible wiping or doctor blade 232 made of rubber or other resilient material and having a height at least as great as the height of the block. The blade is supported on a connecting bar 234 attached centrally to the blade.

Blade 232 is reciprocated automatically between operative and inoperative positions by the passage of the block itself.

To this end there is positioned upstream from the blade a horizontal contact finger 236. The outer end of the finger normally overlies the path of travel of the block. It is spaced from blade 232 a distance which is slightly less than the width of the surface of the block which is to be coated.

Finger 23-6 is bolted to an arm 238 which in turn is fixed to a rock shaft 240. The latter pivotally is supported on a bracket 241 adjustable laterally with respect to the path of travel of the blocks to enable proper location of finger 236.

Rock shaft 240 also mounts a crank 242 which pivotally is connected to one end of a connecting bar 244. The other end of bar 244 pivotally is connected to one end of a second crank 246. The other end of crank 246 is fixed to a vertical rock shaft 248 held in bearings 250 which are mounted on a vertical standard 252 supported on frame plate 50.

A horizontal lever 254 is fixed to rock shaft 248. The downstream end of the lever is bolted to support bar 234 which, as indicated above, mounts a squeegee blade 232.

A compression coil spring 256 is interposed between the upstream end of lever 254 and the outer surface of standard 252, resiliently urging squeegee blade 232 forwardly in the direction of block contact. An adjustable stop bolt 257 is threaded through lever 254 and abuts against the outer surface of standard 252, limiting the magnitude of adjustable resilient advancement of the squeegee blade.

Thus as a given block advances toward the coating station it first contacts the projecting outer end of contact finger 236, which lies in a collision course with the block. As viewed in FIG. 2 this moves the finger outward against the tension of spring 256 and, through the linkages outlined above, retracts squeegee blade 232 from the path of travel of the block, protecting it from inury.

As the block continues its advancement, its surface is flooded with liquid coating material by means of coating roll 192. As the coating operation nears completion, the block moves out of engagement with contact finger 236. By this time, since the distance between the end of the contact finger and squeegee 232 is less than the width of the block, the squeegee blade registers with the leading vertical margin of the block.

At this point in the sequence, spring 256 drives contact finger 236 to its inward advanced FIG. 2 position and simuttaneously advances squeegee blade 232 into resilient contact with the freshly coated face of the block.

Continued forward motion of the block is accompanied by doctoring of its surface, to remove surplus material and providing a smooth, uniform coating.

The coated block then passes to the outfeed end of the apparatus where it is received on an outfeed conveyor 260 which removes it to an appropriate handling station.

OPERATION The operation of the presently described structural block coating apparatus is as follows:

Upon energizing the apparatus, motor 72 drives chain 89 and stabilizing belt 142 uniformly at the same speed. Blocks 66 are placed on end on chain 80, one at a time, each block thereupon being thrust forwardly by contact with one of plates 88 carried by the chain.

The blocks are guided into the apparatus by means of lateral guiding members 90, 160. They pass through a first station where there opposite side faces are scrubbed by stiff brushes 170. Next, guided by lateral guides 109, they pass in spaced relation through a coating station where they are coated with a large surplus of acrylic coating or other water proof material by means of coating rolls 192, aso driven by motor 72 at a speed coordinated with the rate of travel of the blocks.

Coating rolls 192 are contained in reservoirs 182 which are supplied continuously with a large excess of coating material by diaphragm pump 214, also driven by motor 72. The pump draws through line 216 from a collecting sump 206. It discharges continuously into reservoir 182 through a conduit 190. The excess coating material gravitates downwardly into a funnel 20 which returns it to sump 2%.

After being coated with a large excess of the material, the blocks pass a doctoring or squeegee station 230 downstream from coating station 180. Here the excess material is wiped oif by means of blades 232 and returned to sump 2% via funnel 220.

Blades 232 are maintained out of the collision contact with the blocks as the blocks enter the doctoring station by a lever assembly including contact finger 236, lever 242, connector 244, lever 246, lever 254 and support bar 234 with appropriate rockshaft mountings. After the leading edge of each block has passed the plane of the squeegee blade, contact finger 236, urged inwardly by spring 256, moves to its advanced FIG. 2 position. This also advances squeegee blade 232 into operative contact with the side faces of the block, wiping the block free of excess coating material.

As indicated above, the coated blocks then pass via an outfeed conveyor 260 to a handling station from which if desired, may be returned to the infeed end of the coating apparatus for recycling, this time in a position which is 90 to the original position for coating additional surfaces.

By use of the apparatus it is possible to coat the blocks at a production rate of 253() blocks per minute, thus achieving a substantial economy, while at the same time producing coated block products of superior properties. Furthermore, the apparatus is relatively simple and inexpensive in construction, reliable in operation, and readily portable from one construction site to another.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herein shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. Structural block coating apparatus comprising (a) conveyor means underlying the blocks for conveying them in sequence along a predetermined path,

(b) coating material applicator means arranged at a first station along said path for applying coating material to the two outer side faces of the blocks as they pass the first station,

(c) squeegee means arranged at a second station downstream from the first station and shiftable between an operative position of block engagement and an inoperative position removed from the blocks,

(d) drive means connected to the squeegee means for shifting it between said operative and inoperative positions, and

(e) movable operator means connected to the drive means and arranged for releasable engagement with and movement by each block as the latter passes through the second station to shift the squeegee means to said inoperative position until the leading edge of the block intercepts the plane of the squeegee means and to shift the squeegee means to said operative position when the leading edge of the block intercepts the plane of the squeegee means.

2. The structural block coating apparatus of claim 1 wherein the coating material applicator means comprises (a) a pair of laterally spaced vertical rolls arranged for contact of their confronting surfaces with the opposite side surfaces of a block,

(b) reservoir means enclosing the rolls laterally outward from said confronting surfaces and including doctor blade means for controlling the amount of coating material carried on the outer surface of the rolls, and

() pump means communicating with the reservoir means for supplying coating material to the latter at a rate sufiicient to maintain a predetermined level of coating material therein.

3. Structural block coating apparatus comprising (a) conveyor means underlying the blocks for conveying them in sequence along a predetermined path,

(b) coating material applicator means arranged at a first station along said path for applying coating material to the two outer side faces of the blocks as they pass the first station,

(c) squeegee means comprising a vertically arranged doctor blade arranged at a second station downstream from the first station and shiftable between an operative position of block engagement and an inoperative position removed from the blocks.

(d) finger means positioned upstream from the coating material applicator means and spaced from the doctor blade a predetermined distance less than the width of the coated surfaces of the block, and

(e) resilient link means interconnecting a finger means and the blade and operable, upon contact of the finger means with the block, to remove the doctor blade from the travel path of the block, while the finger means remains in contact with the block, and operable thereafter upon passage of the block to place the doctor blade in operative contact with the coated block surfaces.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 765,326 7/1904 Shaw 118120 1,026,921 5/1912 Nuss 118-121 1,957,470 5/1934 Milmoe. 2,338,138 1/1944 Sillars. 2,326,249 8/ 1943 Nokes 118-121 2,324,401 7/ 1943 Kimball. 2,899,927 8/1959 Prentice 118121 XR 3,140,960 7/1964 Grabczyk et al. 3,217,348 11/1965 Simmons 15--93 2,684,047 7/1954 Walker 118-121 CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner.

R. I. SMITH, Examiner. 

